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I Have Heard that Otoplasty is Very Painful to Recover From, is this True?

asked 5 months ago by Timmy89 in Malibu
Latest answer by Philip Young, MD
Question viewed 320 times
Tags: healing, pain

I have heard stories from friends who have had this procedure and read online that an otoplasty is one of the most painful cosmetic procedures, particularly after surgery. I am just wondering whether or not this is true. I find it difficult to believe as i know that many children below the age of 10 get this procedure done.

14 answers to I Have Heard that Otoplasty is Very Painful to Recover From, is this True?

+1

Otoplasty Pain and the Recovery Process

Otoplasty can be a painful procedure just like any other procedure in the head and neck area. There are ways to make this better for patients afterward. The type of anesthesia that is done can sometimes help. Longer acting local anesthetics injected after wards can allow your oral pain medication to build up in your system and keep your pain under control and avoid the peaks and valleys with pain medications.
Philip Young, MD

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pain after Otoplasty

Otoplasty recovery can be painful, but varies from patient to patient. The ears usually appear swollen or bruised right after the procedure, which will subside after some time. A few tips that I tell my patients; try not to sleep on your side during recovery, do not wash the hair with shampoo for up to one week after the surgery, keep head elevated to minimize swelling and take any prescribed pain medication as directed to alleviate any discomfort. Adults can generally return to work... more
Ross A. Clevens, MD

Melbourne Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty recovery is uncomfortable

Otoplasty is an uncomfortable operation to recover from. The ears are swollen after the procedure, they do throb for the first 2 weeks, and it is somewhat difficult to be comfortable while sleeping at night when both ears have been done. We prescribe a medium strength pain reliever such as Vicodin, which to help with the short-term discomfort.
William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty pain?

Dear patient, Otoplasty is commonly done on children. The ideal age is 5 years old. Following an otoplasty surgery, the pain is usually mild to moderate and can easily be controlled with pain medication.
Teanoosh Zadeh, MD

Montreal Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty

Otoplasty is a procedure that repostions and improves ear contour. This procedure can be performed under local anesthesia. The recovery it typically easy with some soreness. It usually is not associated with significant pain.
Craig Mezrow, MS, MD

Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty pain

Otoplasty is a fairly easy procedure to perform and can often be done under local anesthesia in an office setting. If done correctly, the pain is usually fairly minimal. As you mentioned, if a child can manage it, you certainly can!
Edwin C. Pound, III, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pain after otoplasty

Thank you for the question. The answer is "no" it is not true. Otoplasty is not a painful operation as per my patients. They usually take some pain killers for a couple of days but never call me complaining of the pain.
Jacob Freiman, MD

Miami Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty does not cause much pain.

Otoplasty does not cause much pain. As you said we do this on young children and had minimal complaints of pain. In fact if they have a great deal of pain this should be evaluated since bleeding can cause this.
Toby Mayer, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty Is Not An Extremely Painful Procedure

In my extensive experience, your supposition would be correct. While the ears can certainly be sore after an otoplasty, I have never observed that it is one of the most painful cosmetic procedures. Adults usually find that their ear soreness lasts longer than in children but it is not activity or lifestyle limiting. I am not certain where this inaccurate information comes from as that statement would surprise most plastic surgeons.
Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD

Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty

Actually otoplasty recovery is fairly benign. Otoplasty is s very common procedure in children and adults to help "pin" the ears back and improve their natural shape. Good Luck. see video
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

How painful is otoplasty

Otoplasty or "ear pinning" is a pretty easy recovery for the most part. One exception may be when the "conchal bowl" is sutured to the mastoid. . .that can ache. But not every otoplasty requires this maneuver. It's not bad. In fact, if you were having significant pain, especially on one side, you would want to contact your surgeon immediately in case you had a hematoma. I think you'll do just fine. Strong pain meds... more
Chase Lay, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pain after Otoplasty?

No, otoplasty is not “very painful to recover from”. Of course, every patient has a different pain threshold but most patients do extremely well after this operation. Best wishes.
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pain after Otoplasty

Hey Timmy ! Otoplasty surgery if done properly should not have significant pain beyond the regular post operative surgery pain or discomfort. If not done properly and cartilage positioning is inadequate it's possible the persistant pressure on the cartilage may cause pain. One thing to be aware of is significant pain right after the surgery and even more so if one sided due to concern of a hematoma (bleeding)! Good luck
Tal T. Roudner, MD

Coral Gables Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty is not particularly painful

Hi there- There is no reason that you should believe that there is something about external ear surgery that makes it particularly painful. The typical patient takes pain medicine for a day or two.
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

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